Effectiveness of Plant Oils for Bio-intensive Control of Uzi Fly Infestation in Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori): A Comparative Study

A study was carried out to assess the effect of plant oils against the uzi fly (Exorista sorbillans Weidemann) and the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori Louis), at three different concentrations: 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 percent. Among the treatments, 0.8 % of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil recorded reduced number of eggs laid (fecundity) (40.33), egg hatchability (46,00 %), and maggot recovery (34.00 %), followed by karanj (Pongamia pinnata) oil (54.00, 52,67 and 50.00%, respectively) and was statistically superior to control (114.33, 93.00% and 92%) and Nesolynx thymus (107.67, 90.00 and 89.00%). Significantly higher maggot (larvae) mortality was observed with 0.8 per cent neem oil (65.33 %), followed by karanj oil (35.33 %) compared to castor oil (24.67 %), and control treatment (11.00%). Spraying plant oil from neem and karanj, also drastically reduced the pupation rate %, adult emergence%, adult longevity, and fecundity of the uzi fly.